Heel finishing machines



1966 I L. D. ALDERMAN ETAL 3,235,893

HEEL FINISHING MACHINES Filed May 14, 1963 ll Sheets-Sheet 1 1966 L. D. ALDERMAN ETAL 3,235,393

HEEL FINISHING MACHINES Filed May 14, 1963 ll Sheets-Sheet z I ma /w 1966 1.. D. ALDERMAN ETAL 3,235,893

HEEL FINISHING MACHINES 11 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed May 14, 1963 HEEL FINISHING MACHINES ll Sheets-Sheet 4.

Filed May 14, 1963 1966 L. D. ALDERMAN ETAL 3,235,393

HEEL FINISHING MACHINES ll Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed May 14, 1965 Feb. 22, 1966 L. D. ALDERMAN ETAL 3,235,893

HEEL FINISHING MACHINES ll Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed May 14, 1963 1966 L. o. ALDERMAN ETAL 3,235,893

HEEL FINISHING MACHINES ll Sheets-Sheet '7 Filed May 14, 1965 Feb. 22, 1966 D. ALDERMAN ETAL 3,235,393

HEEL FINISHING MACHINES Filed May 14, 1963 ll Sheets-Sheet 8 Feb. 22, 1966 L. D. ALDERMAN ETAL 3,235,893

HEEL FINISHING MACHINES Filed May 14, 1963 ll Sheets-Sheet 10 ZEVIIIIYII 1966' L. D. ALDERMAN ETAL 3,235,393

HEEL FINISHING MACHINES l1 Sheets-Sheet 11 Filed May 14, 1963 QQU Q .EWSQQOFN NUNGLQP United States Patent 3,235,893 HEEL FINISHING MACHINES Leon D. Alderman, Magnolia, Adolph S. Dorosz, Beverly, Andrew J. Gilbride, Swampscott, Donald E. Ripley, Peabody, Leo F. Stanton, Newburyport, and James R. Stewart, Salem, Mass., assignors to United Shoe Machinery Corporation, Boston, Mass., a corporation of New Jersey Filed May 14, 1963, Ser. No. 280,234 16 Claims. (Cl. 1287) This invention relates to shoe machinery and more particularly to machines for automatically performing finishing operations upon the heels of shoes. The invention is applicable to heel trimming, rounding, scouring, inking or any other process having to do with peripheral operations performed on the heel edge exclusively of the breast. Finishing operations of this type have long been performed on machines operated by hand requiring considerable skill on the part of trained operators.

It is one of the objects of this invention to produce a machine for performing finishing operations upon the periphery of heels of shoes which machine is completely automatic and which does not require a highly skilled operator.

Another object of this invention is to produce an automatic machine for performing finishing operations upon the heels of shoes which machine is designed to operate upon heels which vary in size geometrically.

The geometric system of last and shoe grading is explained in U.S. Letters Patent No. 1,948,547, issued February 27, 1934 to L. E. Topham and further explained in U.S. Letters Patent No. 2,514,518, issued July 20, 1950 to G. F. Ryan. Briefly, the geometric system of grading is predicated upon successive members of a series of graded objects, in this case heels, varying by a uniform percentage of a given characteristic, from one to another, instead of by uniform absolute amount, from one to another.

Therefore, another object of this invention is to produce an automatic machine for performing finishing operations upon the heels of shoes which heels may vary in size but which all have the same profile characteristics varying one from another by a uniform percentage as distinguished from a uniform absolute amount.

Attaining these objects and criteria will naturally result in heels being trimmed, scoured or otherwise operated on, which heels bear uniform resemblance to each other without regard to style characteristics.

Accordingly, it is still another object of this invention to produce an automatic machine for performing finishing operations upon heels in accordance with the geometric system but which machine has means for imparting style characteristics to the heels which may be selectively additive to the basic geometrically graded characteristic of the heel.

It is a further object to provide means in the machine for adding or subtracting uniform arithmetic increments of shape to the heels about their entire peripheries in addition to the basic shape.

Another object of this invention is to provide in the machine means for imparting uni-directional additive shapes to the heels, particularly at their most rearward parts in addition to the basic shapes and the uniform arithmetic peripheral increments.

There is provided a machine for automatically performing finishing operations upon the heels of shoes in accordance with these objects. As a feature of this invention, the machine includes a jack for supporting the shoe bottom upwardly for rotation about an axis normal to the tread surface of the heel and an operating tool, normally a rotatable trimming cutter, scouring disk or ice the like. A rotatable heel clamp is mounted for swinging movement about an axis parallel with the jack axis and is movable into and out of alignment with the tread surface of the heel. Power means are provided for elevating the jack, and hence the shoe, which is on a last, into engagement with the clamp, the elevation of the jack providing clamping force to secure the last to the jack. The tool is mounted for swinging movement about an axis also parallel with the jack axis for movement into and out of engagement with the heel as Well as while engaging the last. Means are also provided to assure that the tool, and a feeler located in close proximity to the tool, move simultaneously toward the shoe as well as upwardly with the feeler assuming a position in engagement with the rand crease. The tool and the feeler are mounted for floating heightwise movement to follow variations in the heightwise contour of the shoe around the heel periphery.

The machine is provided with a master cam having an operative heel-shaped profile which varies in size geometrically from end to end measured in its axial direction. The cam is adjustable heightwise on the jack shaft, i.e. axially, to present selective portions of the periphery to a cam follower which controls movement of the tool thereby permitting size variations which are related to each other geometrically. All portions of the heel periphery are operated on by the tool by presenting the entire heel to the cutter through rotation of the jack. Since heels of different sizes require different amounts of rotation to assure that the entire periphery, particularly adjacent the breast, is acted upon by the tool, the amount of jack rotation is controlled directly in accordance with the variable size of the portion of the periphery of the master cam to be employed, both being a single and simultaneous function of initial machine adjustment.

Means are also provide for superposing upon the basic heel shape, which is reproduction of the shape of the master cam, a uniform arithmetic increment of shape about the entire periphery except the breast. This additive shape is best illustrated by what is known as peripheral heel extension. Means are also provided for producing an uni-directional additive shape at the most rearward part of the heel in addition to the basic shape and the selected uniform peripheral heel extension.

Pneumatic means are provided to initiate, control and correlate each of the movements of the operating ele ments of the machine in a uniform repetitive sequence. Once an operator has presented the shoe to the machine either manually or through appropriate automatic transfer mechanism and made the various selections of basic heel size and style additions, the machine is completely automatic in operation and is capable of producing a virtually endless succession of heels bearing high fidelity not only to the master cam but to the heel conceived by the shoe designer.

The above and other features of the invention including various novel details of construction and combinations of parts will now be more particularly described with reference to the accompanying drawings and pointed out in the claims. It will be understood that the particular machine embodying the invention is shown by way of illustration only and not as a limitation of the invention. The principles and features of this invention may be employed in varied and numerous embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention.

In the drawings,

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view as seen by an operator of an automatic, geometric, cam controlled heel trimming machine embodying the invention;

FIG. 2 is a left side elevational view partly in section and with parts broken away of the trimming instrumentalities of the illustrative machine on a larger scale FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a plan view with parts broken away of the trimming instrumentalities shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a front elevation of the lower portion of the machine shown partly in section and with parts broken away of the cam and jack illustrating the operating mechanisms of the machine;

FIG. 5 is a left side elevation partly in section of the jack rotating mechanism shown in FIG. 4;

'FIG. 6 is a rear elevation partly in section of the jack rotating mechanism-shown in FIG. 4;

than

'FIG. 7 is a plan view of the jack rotating mechanism shown in FIG. 4;

'FIG. 8 is an enlarged sectional view of the trimming cutter mechanism taken along the line VIIIVIII of FIG. 3-

shoe supporting jack;

'FIG. 10 is a right side elevation thereof also partly in section;

lFIGS. l1 and 12 are sectional views on enlarged scale of the shoe supporting clamp taken along the line XI FIG. 9 is a front elevation partly in section of the XI on FIG. 3 in inoperative and clamping positions, re-

mechanism taken along the line XIV-XIV on FIG. 8;

and, V FIG. 15 is a timing diagram of the various operating elements of the illustrative machine.

' The invention is shown embodied in an automatic heel I I,

trimming machine but it is to be understood that the particular machine is-shown for illustrative purposes only. The invention may be embodied as well, for example, in a heel scouring machine or other machines for performing peripheral operations, such as inking, etc., on heels.

FIG. 1 shows the front ofthe machine as it appears to an operator just prior to the beginning of a trimming cycle. The machine comprises a main body 2 supported on appropriate frame structure 4. Various portions of the operating mechanism of the machine are mounted both in the body 2 and the supporting frame structure 4. The more prominent elements of the machine include a tool, illustratedas a cutter 6, mounted for ,rotation about a substantially vertical axis A located in front of a dust hood 7. The cutter 6 is supported by a cutter arm 8 for swinging movement about a second substantially vertical parallel axisA the location of which is within a cutter arm housing 10. A partially completed shoe S on a last L is mounted bottom upwardly on a jack 12 which is mounted in the machine for both vertical Emovement and rotation. Two manually operated switches, S and S are located on the upper front portion of ,the body 2. vBoth switches must be depressed by the operator to set the machine in operation. Motor control switches collectively designated 13 are also conveniently located on the body 2.

In operative position the heel H of the shoe S is engaged by a clamp 14mounted at the free end of a pivotal clamp arm 16. An adjusting arm 18 is located -in a readily accessibleposition in the front of the body 2 to adjust the machine in accordance with the size of the heel j to be trimmed.

Shoe supporting jack The shoe supporting jack 12 (FIG. 2) includes a solid shaft 20 mounted for vertical sliding movement in a hollow shaft 22 which is secured for rotation in the machine frame by appropriate bearing members, one of which is shown at 24. The hollow shaft 24 does not move vertically in the machine but is capable of rotation only. Fixed to the top of the solid shaft 20 is a plate 26, seen in greater detail in FIGS. 9 and 10. Adjustably mounted on the plate 26 is a substantially vertical but irregularly shaped member 28 having lateral flanges 30 and 32 which are received on the plate 26. The member 28 also includes a forwardly extending flange member 34, it being here noted the original or loading position of the jack 12 is shown in FIG. 9, as viewed by the operator.

Extending downwardly from the plate 26 is a key 36,

the lower end of which is slidably received in a slot 38 formed by a pair of cars 40 extendingv forwardly from the upper end of the hollow rotatable shaft 22. The upper end of the key 36 is received in a slot 42 formed in cars 44 projecting forwardly from the plate 26. The key 36 is secured Within the slot 42 by a screw 46 and locks the plate 26, the member 28 and the jack structure mounted thereon to the rotatable shaft 22 so that they rotate as a unit therewith. The plate 26 and member 28 being mounted on the shaft 20, are movable vertically with respect to the shaft 22, the key 36 sliding within the slot 38 upon movement. The member 28 is adjustable, for reasons hereinafter to be explained, across the plate 26 and hence, transversely of the axis of rotation A,- of the jack operating shafts 20 and 22. Screws 48 pass through slot-s 50 in the lateral flange portions 30 and 32 of the member 28 and are threaded in the plate 26. Movement of the member 28 back and forth across the plate 26 in a front to rear direction is obtained by a screw 52 which is threaded in the flange portion 34 of the member 28, a head 54 on the screw 52 being received within a slot 56 in the key 36.

On the top of the jack member 28 is a last pin 60 which is received in the usual manner in the hole 62 in a last L. Ears 64 and 66 are engageable with the sides of a geometric last plate 68 shown in FIG. 9 in section. The ear 64 is fixed with respect to the member 28, being clamped thereto by a screw 70. The ear 66, on the other hand, is movable with respect to the member 28, being formed on the upper end of a lever 72 pivotally mounted on a-fulcrum pin 74 to the member 28. The lower end of the lever 72 is pivotally secured by a pin 76 to a link 78, the opposite end of which is pivotally secured at 80 to a bifurcated toggle link 82 and an irregularly shaped slidable plate84, the toggle link 82 being pivoted on a stud 83 secured in the member 28.

The links 78 and 82 act as a conventional toggle mechanism to pivot the lever 72 about its fulcrum 74 upon the movement of the plate 84 relatively to the member 28. The plate 84, and hence the toggle, is normally urged downwardly by, a compression spring 86 surrounding a headed guide rod 88 which engages the top of the irregularly shaped plate 84. The plate 84 has two depending legs 87 which pass through slots 89 in the flange portion 34 of the member 28 and through somewhat larger slotted openings 90 in the plate 26.

When the central jack shaft 20, and hence the jack member 28, which is mounted thereon, is lowered by means hereinafter to be described, the lower ends of the legs 87 engage the top 23 of the shaft 22, causing the plate to come to a stop as the jack member 28 continues to descend. The toggle members 78, 82 cause the lever 72 to pivot in a clockwise direction, as seen in FIG. 9, allowing an operator to place the last L carrying the shoe over-the last pin 60 with the geometric last plate 68 in engagement with the fixed ear 64. The toe of the shoe is pointed toward the operator, as seen in FIG. 1, with its heel toward the cutter 6. Upon elevation of the shaft20, the legs 87 of. the plate 84 become disengaged from the collar 23 permitting the spring 86 to straighten the togglemechanism whereupon the ear 66 at the top of the lever 72 moves into clamping positionagai-nst the last plate 68.

It will be appreciated by one skilled in the art that while the jack 12 has been described withreference to a shoe being loaded manually, this mechanism is ideally Prior to the loading of a shoe, the desired adjustment of the jack member 28 with respect to the axis A, of the shaft 20 is made by loosening the clamp screws 48 and rotating the adjusting screw 52. This adjustment, it will be seen, changes the location of the last L with respest to the jack axis A,- along the heel toe axis of the shoe only. The effect of such adjustment upon the trimmed heel will be explained in detail hereinafter.

Vertical upward movement of the central jack shaft 20, and hence of the jack mechanism 12, is obtained by an air motor 94 (FIG. 4) pivotally secured at 96 to a bracket 98 depending from a portion of the machine frame. The piston 100 of the air motor 94 is adjustably secured to one end of a bell crank lever 102 also pivoted on the depending bracket 98. The opposite end of the bell crank lever 102 is pivotally secured to a modified clevis 104 (see also FIG. which is received within an annular slot 106 at the lower end of the rotatable central shaft 20. By the selective pressurization and depressurization of the air motor 94, the central shaft 20 and the jack mechanism 12 are caused to ascend with respect ,to the hollow shaft 22. Descending movement and consequent release of the shoe after trimming is effected by the above-described mechanism operating in the reverse sequence.

Heel clamp The heel clamp mechanism 14 which cooperates with the jack 12 to support the shoe during trimming is mounted at the free end of the arm 16 as will now be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. The arm 16 is pivotally mounted on a stud 108 (FIG. 3) extending from a post 110 vertically mounted on the body 2 of the machine. Swinging movement of the arm 16 about the axis A which parallels the axis A from the outer or loading position shown in FIG. 1 to the operative or clamping position shown in FIG. 3, is obtained by an air motor 112 having a piston rod 114 adjustably and pivotally secured to a lug 116 extending from the arm 16. The opposite end of the air motor 112 is pivotally secured at 118 to an offset lever 120 pivotally secured by a fulcrum pin to a plate 122 fixed to the post 110. On the free end of the lever 120 is formed a tongue 123 which is receivable within a slot 124 in a camming plate 126 fixed to and movable with the arm 16. The plate 126 includes a camming surface 128.

The clamp arm 16 normally occupies the position shown in FIG. 1 with the tongue 123 of the lever 120 in engagement with the camming surface 128 of the plate 126. Pressurization of the air motor 112 causes the piston rod 114 to become extended and exert pressure against the lug 116 whereupon the arm 16 pivots in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in FIG. 3, about the stud 108 toward the position shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the tongue 123 riding on the camming surface 128. Upon reaching this position the tongue 123 of the lever 120 drops into the slot 124 in the plate 126 and the clamp mechanism 14 thereupon becomes locked above the jack 12. At this time a pneumatic switch S on the post 110 is tripped by a depending finger 127 on the rear of the plate 126 to start the next operation which is the vertical movement of the jack 12.

Upon the completion of a trimming cycle the piston rod 114 is retracted within the air motor 112, the lever' 120 being pulled and pivoting counterclockwise on the stud 121, as seen in FIG. 3, with its tongue 123 being withdrawn from the slot 124 in the plate 12 until the free end of the lever engages a stop 130 on the plate 123, whereupon continued movement of the piston rod 114 with respect to the cylinder 112 causes the arm 16 to pivot counterclockwise and return to its original or FIG. 1 position.

The heel clamp 14 on the arm 16 is shown in detail in FIGS. 11 and 12. The clamp comprises a removable circular heel engaging member 140 which is mounted on a pin 141 for rotation as well as slight wobbly movement at the lower end of a screw 142. The screw 142 is threaded in a collar 144 which is slidably received in a boss 146 in the free or outer end of the arm 16. Vertical upward movement of the sleeve 144 and hence, the heel engaging member 140, is restricted with respect to the arm 16 by a flange 148 at the lower end of the sleeve 144 which is received in an annular recess 150 in the boss 146. Downward as well as upward movement is also restricted by a pin 152 threaded in the boss 146 and received within a slot 154 in the sleeve 144.

The heel engaging member 140 is adjustable height- Wise with respect to the arm 16 in accordance with the height of the heel H of the particular shoe being trimmed by rotating the knurled head 159 of the screw 142 which is threaded in the'sleeve 144. A lock nut 160 is provided to clamp the screw in the desired position of adjustment.

As the shoe S, which has been placed on the jack 12, rises into position, its heel H engages the member 140 urging the screw 142, and hence the sleeve 144, upwardly from the FIG. 11 to the FIG. 12 position until the flange 148 abuts the bottom of the annular recess 150 thus assuming the FIG. 12 position. The shoe S is then firmly clamped between the jack 12 and the clamp 14.

Upward movement of the clamp, however, actuates the next sequence of operations which are the rotation of the jack 12 and the cutter arm 8 which will be described in greater detail hereinafter. A pneumatic switch S is mounted on the end of the arm clamp 16 adjacent the boss 146 with a small bell crank trip lever 166 having one end in engagement with the normally extended trip button 168 on the switch S The opposite end of the lever 166 passes through aligned slots 169 and 170 in the boss 146 and the sliding sleeve 144, respectively. Thus, upward movement of the clamp from the FIG. 11 to the FIG. 12 position pivots the lever 166 counterclockwise which causes the air switch S to be tripped. This initiates pivotal movement of the jack rotating mechanism (hereinafter to be described) to rotate the shoe S from the position shown in FIG. 1 and wherein its toe points toward the operator and away from the cutter 6 to the position shown in FIG. 3 wherein the toe points generally to the operators right or as seen in FIG. 2 where the toe points into the plane of the paper.

The cutter As stated previously, the cutter generally indicated at 6, is mounted for rotation about a susbtantially vertical axis A The swinging cutter arm 8 has a boss or cutter housing 170 mounting the cutter at the free end of the arm. The cutter 6 includes a cutter head indicated generally 172 (FIG. 8) which will be described in detail hereinafter. The cutter head 172 is clamped by a nut 174 at the top of a shaft 176 the center of which defines the cutter axis A Secured to the lower end of the shaft 176 is a gear 178 which is rotatably driven by a timer belt 180 from an electric motor 182 (FIG. 1) which is located beneath the machine body 2. The axis of the motor 182 coincides with the Axis A, about which the cutter arm 8 pivots. Therefore, continuous rotation is imparted to the cutter 172 regardless of the position that the cutter arm occupies with respect to the axis A The cutter arm 8 is caused to pivot about the axis A (located within the housing 10) by a comparatively slow acting air motor (FIG. 3) pivotally secured at 192 to a bracket 194 on the upper rear part of the body 2. The piston rod 196 of the air motor 190 is secured by an adjustable clevice 198 to a projection 200 extending from the cutter arm 8. Pressurization of the air cylinder will cause the rod 196 to extend and move the arm counterclockwise about the axis A with the cutter 6 approaching the heel H of the shoe S. Conversely, retraction of the piston rod 196 within the air cylinder 190 will cause the cutter arm 8 and the structure mounted on it to pivot in aclockwise direction about the cutter arm axis A Referring again to FIG. 8, the cutter assembly 6 including the cutter head 172, the shaft 176 and the gear 178 are mounted for limited upward and downwand floating movement within the housing or boss 170 on the cutter arm'8. The shaft 176 is journaled in double upper bearings 202 and Single lower bearings 204 which together with an inner sleeve 206 and an outer generally rectangular sleeve 208 form a unitary cutter assembly. A pin 209 (FIG. 14) prevents rotation between the sleeves 206 and 208. The outer sleeve 208, inner sleeve 206 and the cutter shaft 176 are slidable vertically as a unit in preoiled sleeve bearings 210 secured within the housing 170. The gear 178 is of suflicient length so that when the cutter unit rises and falls the timer belt 180 will remain at all times engaged.

A cam follower 220 is mounted below the cutter assembly 6 in an L-shaped bracket 222 (see also FIGS. 2 and 13). The follower 220 is circular and rotatably mounted on a bearing 224 which is secured by a pin 226 in the bifurcated lower leg 223 of the L-shaped bracket 222. The pin is provided with a pull ring 228 and a spring biased detent 230 to permit it to be removed from the leg 223 to replace the circular cam follower 220 with followers of different diameters for the purpose of varying the heel extension of the shoe a uniform amount in all directions with the same shoe size setting of the machine.

The follower 220 is engageable with a master geometric cam 232 which is secured by keys 233 for vertical sliding movement relatively to the outer rotatable jack shaft 22. The cam and its operating mechanism will be described in greater detail hereinafter.

The L-shaped bracket 222 which mounts the cam roll 220 depends from a yoke 240, the arms of which are pivoted on pins 242 extending from the lower end of the cutter arm housing 170. An adjustable stop member 244 limits upward pivotal movement of the bracket 222 and yoke 240 with respect to the cutter arm 8. Downward pivotal movement is limited in part by engagement between thecam follower 220 and the master cam 232.

A generally H-shaped upper yoke lever 250 is pivoted on a stud 25 1 supported on a bracket 252 extending from bosses 253 on the cutter arm 8. The yoke lever 250 comprises forwardly extending arms 254 and 256 which are pivotally secured by pins 258 and 260, respectively, to the vertically movable outer sleeve 208 of the cutter assembly. Rearwardly extending arms 261, 262 of the yoke lever 250 are separated by a bar 263 (FIGS. 2 and 3). Connected to the bar 263 is a counterbalance 264 comprising a spring 266 (FIG. 2) compressed within a sleeve 268 and acting downwardly upon the lowerend of a rod 270 which is adjustably secured to the bar 263 and secured in position by l-o'ck nuts 272.-

An adjustable connected rod 276 extends between the upper yoke lever 250 and the lower yoke 240, the rod being pivotally secured to both members. The rod 276, in addition to the cam roll 2'20 engaging the master cam 232, limits downward movement of the yoke 240.

The tendency of the counterbalance 264 is to urge the yoke 250 in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 2'about the pin 251 which imparts a lifting force to the vertically movable portion of the cutter assembly. The weight of the cutter assembly, however, is greater than the force of the counterbalance. Accordingly, the assembly normally occupies its lowermost or descending position with respect to the housing 170 with a stop screw 274 (FIG. 14)- in the yoke lever 250 abutting the top of the cutter arm housing 170.

Mounted between the cutter head 172 and the outer sleeve portion 208 of the cutter assembly is a combined guard and feeler 278 which is engageable with the shoe S at the feather line or rand crease between the upper U and at the outsole OS. The feeler 278 has an arcuate lip 280 which is the portion that is engageable with the shoe. The feeler 278 is adjustable vertically with respect to the cutter 172, the feeler being pivotally secured at 282 to the cutter assembly. The lip 280 is raised or lowered with respect to the cutter 172 by an adjusting screw 284 mounted on the rearward portion of the feeler 278. The cutter 172, which has a generally bar-like configuration, includes replaceable heel cutting blades 286 and randing cutters 288 all clamped to the cutter head 172.

In operation, when the cutter arm 8 is swung counterclockwise as seen in FIG. 3 or to the right as seen in FIG. 2 by the air motor 190, the cutter assembly 6 approaches the shoe S which is clamped between the jack 12 and the clamp 14. The first contact between any portion of the cutter assembly 6 and the jack assembly 12 is when the cam follower 220 engages the master cam 232. This causes the L-sh-aped bracket 222 and its yoke 240 to pivot clockwise (FIG. 2) about the cutter arm sleeve or boss 170 which, through the connecting rod 276 imparts a counterclockwise movement to yoke 250 and, hence, a lifting movement to the cutter assembly until the stop 244 in the cutter arm 8 abuts the bracket 222. The clock-wise movement of the bracket 222 about the cutter arm boss 170, after the follower 220 engages the cam 232, permits the cutter arm 8 to swing a slight distance further in the counterclockwise direction, as seen in FIG. 3 or to the right as seen in FIG. 2. The resultant motion of the cutter 172 and the feeler 278 is in a compound direction upwardly to the right, as seen in FIG. 2, whereby the lip 280 of the feeler rises into the rand crease between the outsole OS and the upper U of the shoe. At this time a pneumatic switch S on the bracket 222 is engaged by the cutter arm 8. Switch S must be actuated before the beginning of rotation of the jack assembly 12 in a clockwise direction (as seen in FIG. 3) by mechanism hereinafter to be described.

The trimming operation proceeds with the feeler lip 2 sensing vertical variations in the feather line and causing the cutter assembly to rise and fall following the height'wise contour around the heel. The cutter 172 moves vertically with respect to the cutter arm 8, the counterbalance 264 being effective to permit the cutter assembly to float with a relatively low amount of force applied by the shoe S to the feeler lip 280.

Master cam and actuating mechanism- The master cam 232, best seen in FIGS. 2, 4 and 13 is pressed onto a hub 235, a key 233 preventing their relative rotation. The hub 235 with the cam 232 mounted on it is slidable as a unit vertically on the outer jack shaft 22, the abovementioned key 233 preventing relative rotation.

The cam 232 is secured to the top af spool 300 which also slides on the shaft 22. The annular slot 302 of the spool is engaged by rollers 304 mounted on the free ends of arms 306 bridged by a plate 308 which is pivoted on a stud 310 (FIG. 4) mounted in a bracket 312 extending upwardly from a plate-like portion 314 of the machine frame. I

An arm 316 and an arm 318, the latter having length adjusting means 320, connect the arms 306 to a lever 322 which is fixed to a stud 324 passing through the upwardly extending front wall 326 of the main body 2. Secured to stud 324 on the outside of'the wall 326 is the cam adjusting lever 18, briefly referred to above. The upper or free end of the lever 18 carries a spring biased 'de: tent 328 which is positionable in a series of holes 330 in a plate segment 332 fixed to the body 2. Movement of the adjusting lever 18, through the above-described linkage, causes the master cam 232 to assume various positions vertically on the shaft 22, each positioning hole 330 being the equivalent of one heel. size. Changing the length of the arm 318 by the adjusting means 320 which affects the throw of the cam 232 permits small amounts of vertical adjustment of the cam on the shaft '22 with out changing the unit increment of cam movement per hole change.

The master cam 232 is designed with the slope of its profile constructed to produce a geometric variation in heel sizes. Therefore, the shape of the master cam 232 taken at any given point by passing a plane through the cam parallel to its base is an overall percentage increase or decrease of the shape of the cam taken by another parallel plane passing through a different portion of the cam. In other words, the cam is designed with the slope of its profile constructed on a precise mathematical curve whereby an increment of vertical movment of thc cam with respect to its follower 220 produces a heel size variation which is the equivalent of a photographic enlargement (or reduction) of the original size.

It will be noted, however, that the radius of the cam follower 220 is shown to be different from the radius of the cutter 172, the latter being larger. Therefore, in the heel H being trimmed the exact shape of the master cam 232 is not reproduced on a 1 to 1 ratio but a uniform arithmetic increment is superposed upon the cam shape. Where the follower is (as shown) smaller than the cutter the uniform arithmetic increment is subtractive.

If, on a given heel size it is desired to produce a trimmed heel having a greater or lesser amount of heel extension, the master cam 232 is not moved but the cam follower 220 is replaced with one having a different diameter. Increasing the diameter of the follower increases the amount of heel extension superposed upon the basic cam shape and vice versa. The increase in diameter is a uniform arithmetic amount around the entire heel periphery except the breast.

As stated above, the location of the last L with respect to the axis A,- of the jack shaft 20 may be varied by sliding the mounting member 28 forwardly or rearwardly of the jack shaft 20 by the adjusting screw 52 (FIGS. 9 and 10). This permits a variation in the amount of heel extension along the heel toe axis of the shoe only since the member 28 is restricted to heel to toe movement. Thus, it is possible to increase or decrease the amount of extension at the back of the shoe (heel extension) without varying the amount of extension across the heel or from side to side by shifting the center of rotation of the heel H. Thus, a third variation is possible, that of uni-directional heel size changes which may be employed (1) in combination with any selected basic heel size or (2) in combination with a basic heel size plus the superposed arithmetic heel extension around the entire heel periphery as obtained by a change in cam follower size.

Pivotally depending from a bifurcated lug 336 on one of the cam shifting arms 306 is a link 338 pivotally secured at its opposite end by a pin 340 (FIG. 4) to an arm 342. The arm 342 is fixed to a stud 344 pivotally received in a boss 346 located on the machine frame beneath the plate-like portion 314. An arm 348 secured to the opposite end of the stud 344 is pivotally pinned toa short link 350 which in turn is pivotally attached to a transversely extending bar 352 which passes horizontally through bearings 354 and 356 (FIG. 7) in a lower portion 358 of the machine frame. The bar 352 passes through an enlarged hub 360 (FIG. 5) of a non-rotatable shaft 362 which is clamped between the frame members 358 and 314.

It will be seen that as the manually operated cam adjusting lever 18 is moved to raise or lower and master cam 232 with respect to the shaft 22, the transverse bar 352 is caused to shift lengthwise of the machine, i.e., transversely of the axis of the shaft 362.

Mounted on the bar 352, which may also be referred to as a sliding rod, are a pair of switches S S and stops designated 364 and 366. Each of the switches S and S is a pneumatic switch 368 mounted on an angle bracket 369 secured to the rod 352. The stops 364 and 366 each includes a pivotal switch actuating member 370 having a face 372 which is engageable with the plunger 374 of its associated switch S or S The cams also have parallel inclined faces which are engageable, one each, with actuating screws 378 and 379, threaded in bosses 380 and 381 depending from a gear segment 382 which is pivotally mounted on the aforementioned fixed shaft 362. The purpose and operation of the cam actuated slidable stops 364 and 366 and their relation to the gear segment 382 will be described in detail hereinafter.

Jack rotating mechanism As stated above, the jack 12, upon the top of which the shoe is located, is rotated with respect to the cutter 6 to present the periphery of the heel, except the breast, to the cutter, The jack rotating mechanism will now be described with reference particularly to FIGS. 5, 6 and 7. The outer jack sleeve 22 through which the shaft 20 is vertically movable is secured at its lower end to a gear 390 which meshes with and is driven by the gear segment 382. As seen in FIG. 7, the gear segment 382 includes a rearwardly extending arm 392. The entire gear segment pivots on the fixed vertical shaft 362.

Oscillating rotative motion is imparted to the gear segment 382 from a bifurcated slide 394 between the ends of which is mounted a roller 396 which is received within a slot 398 in the arm 392 of the gear segment. bifurcated slide 394 mounts upper and lower rollers 400 and 402 which are received in slots 404, 406, formed in upper and lower guideway members 408 and 410, respectively, the guideway members being secured by a plurality of screws 412 to the machine frame. Reciprocating motion is imparted to the slide 394 by a doubleacting air motor 414 having a piston rod 416 adjustably secured to a bracket 418 extending rearwardly of the machine as a part of the slide 394.

A latch 420 having the general form of a bell crank is pivotally secured to the lower guideway member 410 by the following mechanism: A bracket 422 is mounted on the lower guideway 410 by screws 424. Extending from the bracket 422 is an adjustable rod 426 mounting at its end a clevis 428 pivotally supporting the bell crank 420 in the position shown in FIG. 6.

The left-hand end of the bell crank latch 420 is provided with a nose 430, best seen in FIG. 6, which is engageable with a sloping surface 432 on the left-hand end of the slide 394. The bell crank latch 420 is normally urged into engagement with the surface 432 of the slide by a tension spring 434 which is secured to its lower leg 436 and to a portion of the machine frame. Also engageable with the lower leg of the latch is a plunger 438 of an air piston 440 also mounted on the frame.

A small lever 442 is pivoted on the bell crank latch and is also engageable with the surface 432 of the slide 394. The opposite end of the lever 442 is engageable with the plunger of a pneumatic switch S adjustably secured on the upper arm of the bell crank latch 420, the plunger of the switch in off position normally urging the small lever 442 in a clockwise direction against a stop 445.

The double-acting air motor 414 normally acts upon its piston rod 416 to pull the slide to the left as viewed in FIG. 6 or the right as viewed in FIG. 7 into engagement with the bell crank latch 420 whereby the gear segment 382, and hence the jack 12, is then in dead center position or with the shoe in the position shown in FIG. 1. The small lever 442 maintains the plunger of the switch S depressed.

Upon its actuation by the switch S, on the clamp arm 16, the air operated plunger 440 causes the bell crank latch 420 to rotate counterclockwise, as viewed in FIG. 6, to release the slide 394 for movement tothe left by the air motor 414. The movement of the slide when viewed in FIG. 7, is to the right, hence the jack gear 390 is rotated counterclockwise whereby the shoe is rotated from the FIG. 1 position to that shown in FIG. 2 with the toe pointing to the operators right. At the same time the The cutter 172 is moving under the control of the air motor 190, which is also actuated by the switch S into operative position whereby its feeler guide 280 will engage with the shoe.

As the gear segment 382 is rotated clockwise as seen in FIG. 7, the adjustable stop screw 380 engages the stop 364 on the sliding rod 352 which .stops the movement of the segment 382, operates the pneumatic switch S and signals the air motor 414 to reverse its stroke and the shoe S to rotate in the opposite direction, i.e., clockwise as seen in FIG. 7. During this period of reverse rotation the heel is trimmed in accordance with the shape of the master cam 232. During this time the nose 430 of the bell crank latch 420' rides inoperaitvely along the lower surface of the slide 394. Before the shoe is rotated through the actual trimming path, the cutter 172 must have reached fully elevated position with the feeler 278 in engagement with the rand crease. The cutter arm 8 normally swings the cutter into operative position at a slower rate than the jack is rotated. When the cutter does, however, reach the operative position shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the switch S (FIG. 7) has been actuated but the air cylinder 414 will only begin to reverse direction when the switch S also has been actuated.

As explained above, the position of the stops 364 and 366 as well as the associated switches S and S are shiftable with respect to the screws 378 and 379 on the gear segment 382. When the master cam 232 is elevated to trim a larger size heel, the sliding bar 352 mounting the stops 364, 366 and the switches S and S is moved to the right, as viewed in FIGS. 4 and 7. Hence the shoe is rotated farther and assumes the horizontal broken line position rather than the solid line position seen in FIG. 3, i.e., more in a counterclockwise direction. On return movement, with the stops 364 and 366 in their righthand or large heel positions, the shoe will also be pivoted a somewhat greaterextent in the clockwise direction because the camming surfaces 376 of the stops are parallel with each other.

When the adjustable stop 379 on the lower face of the gear segment 382 engages the stop 366, the pneumatic switch S is actuated causing (l) the segment 382 to stop and the air motor 414 again to reverse its direction, (2) resetting of the air plunger 440, (3) the cutter arm air motor 190 to pivot the cutter .172 away from the shoe, and ('4) air to be released from the jack elevating cylinder 96.

Movement of the slide '394, and hence the shoe S, then proceeds again toward dead center or shoe loading and unloading position. The slide 394 now is moving toward the left, as seen in FIG. 6, until the nose 430 of the bell crank latch engages the surface 432 of the slide 394 bringing the slide to a stop at dead center with the'shoe having been returned 'to the FIG. 1 position for removal from the machine. 442 is urged by the slide in a counterclockwise direction depressing the plunger switch S which signals for presurization of the down side of the jack to descend.

One cycle of operation will now be described with particular reference to the timing chart shown in FIG. 13 which represents the movement of the various instrumentalities plotted against time. The operator, after selecting the desired basic heel size by positioning the lever 18, the amount of uniform .peripheral heel extension by the selection of the size of the cam follower 220 and the amount of additional heel extension in the heel-toe direction by the location of the position of the last pin, and hence the center of rotation of the heel on the jack 12, places the .shoe on the jack. As stated above, the shoe may also be placed on the .jack automatically by appropriate mechanism. Switches S and S are then manually depressed, two switches being provided vto assure that both of the operators hands are away from the trimming area. Actuation of the switches S and S causes the clamp arm 16 to'swing into position above the heel -H as Upon engaging the slide the small lever represented by the first solid inclined line on the Clamp Arm Rotation scale. Upon completion of the clamp arm movement, the switch S signals the jack cylinder 96 to raise the jack 12. This is represented by the broken line extending downward from the Clamp Arm Rotation scale to Vertical Movement of Jack scale, all broken lines representing the functions of the switches and all solid lines representing movement of the elements. In its ascent the heel H engages the clamp 14 and urges it upward whereupon it trips the switch S; which then signals the air piston 440 to pivot the bell crank latch at the rear of the machine to permit the air cylinder 414 to rotate the jack 12 to the trimming position. Actuation of the switch S also signals the air motor 190 to pivot the cutter arm 8 toward the trimming position.

When the gear segment 382 has rotated the jack 12 into the trimming position, it engages the stop 364 on the slide bar 352 and trips the switch S which readies the air cylinder 414 to reverse the rotation of the jack to begin the actual trimming of the heel. The cutter 172, however, must have reached the fully elevated shoe engaging position with the feeler 278 in engagement with the rand crease. At this time switch S onthe L-shaped bracket 222 is actuated by engagement with the cutter arm 8. Both switches S7 and S must be actuated before the jack 12 begins to rotate.

While the actual trimming operation takes place the jack is rotated through approximately which continues until the screw 379 on the gear segment 332 engages the stop 366 and switch 5 on the slide bar 352 is actuated. This signals (1) the jack to reverse rotation toward the dead center or unloading position, (2) the cutter to swing away from the trimmed heel, (3) the jack elevating cylinder 96 to be depressurized and, (4) the air piston 440 to be reset.

Actuation of the switch S causes the clamp arm to rotate from its position above the heel H into the original or loading position. When the slide 394 comes to rest with the jack 12 in dead center position, the switch S is tripped which pressurizes the down side of the jack elevating cylinder 96 to move the jack all the way down to release the grip on the last plate and to hold the jack in lowered position to accept the next shoe. Actuation of switch S also causes air to be released from the jack rotating cylinder 414. Upon the operating elements reaching their original positions, the machine is ready to repeat the cycle on the next shoe.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In a machine for automatically performing finishing operations upon the heel of a shoe, a jack mounting the shoe for rotation about an axis substantially normal to the tread surface of the heel, a tool movable in a direction transversely of said axis and engageable with the heel, a master cam for imparting movement to the tool to cause it to operate upon the heel in accordance with a basic shape corresponding to the shape of the cam, and means for imparting through the tool a uni-directional additive shape to the heel measured along the heel-toe axis of the shoe in addition to the shape corresponding to the master cam.

2. In a machine for automatically performing finishmg operations upon the heel of a shoe, a jack mounting the shoe for rotation about an axis substantially normal to the tread surface of the heel, a tool movable in a directron transversely of said axis and engageable with the heel, a master cam for imparting movement to the tool to cause it to operate upon the heel in accordance with the shape of the cam, said cam being movable axially of the jack and having an operative heel-shaped profile varying in size substantially geometrically from end to end measured in the direction of its axial movement whereby the sectional heel-shaped profile of the cam at every location measured axially has a substantially uniform geometric relationship 13' to the sectional heel-shaped profile at every other axial location.

3. In a machine for automatically performing finishing operations upon the heel of a shoe, a jack mounting the shoe for rotation about an axis substantially normal to the tread surface of the heel, a tool movable in a direction transversely of said axis and engageable with the heel, a master cam for imparting movement to the tool to cause it to operate upon the heel in accordance with the shape of the cam, said cam being movable axially of the jack and having an operative heel-shaped profile varying in size substantially geometrically from end to end measured in the direction of its axial movement whereby the sectional heel-shaped profile of the cam at every location measured axially has a substantially uniform geometric relationship to the sectional heel-shaped profile at every other axial location, and means for moving said cam axially with respect to said jack adjustably to vary the amount of motion imparted to the tool in substantially geometric proportions.

4. In a machine for automatically performing finishing operations upon the heel of a shoe, a jack mounting the shoe for rotation about an axis substantially normal to the tread surface of the heel, a tool movable in a direction transversely of said axis and engageable with the heel, a master cam for imparting movement to the tool to cause it to operate upon the heel in accordance with the shape of the cam, a heel clamp mounted for swinging movement into and out of axial alignment with the tread surface of the heel to clamp the shoe with its heel operatively engageable with the tool, and means for moving the jack axially normal to said tread surface to urge the heel into engagement with the clamp.

5. In a machine for automatically performing finishing operations upon the heel of a shoe, a jack mounting the shoe for rotation about an axis substantially normal to the tread surface of the heel, a tool movable in a direction transversely of said axis and engageable with the heel, a master cam for imparting movement to the tool to cause it to operate upon the heel in accordance with the shape of the cam, a heel clamp mounted for swing movement into and out of axial alignment with the tread surface of the heel to clamp the shoe with its heel operatively engageable with the tool, means for moving the jack axially normal to said tread surface to urge the heel into engagement with the clamp, and means responsive to clamping pressure against the heel to rotate the jack about said axis to present successive portions of the heel to the tool.

6. In a machine for automatically performing finishing operations upon the heel of a shoe on a last, a jack mounting the last for rotation about an axis substantially normal to the tread surface of the heel, a tool movable in a direc tion transversely of said axis and engageable with the heel, a master cam for imparting movement to the tool to cause it to operate upon the heel in accordance with the shape of the cam, means for moving the jack and the shoe mounted thereon vertically of said axis to present the heel to the tool, and means responsive to upward axial movement of the jack to apply clamping pressure to the last and responsive to downward movement of the jack to release said last from the jack.

7. In a machine for automatically performing finishing operations upon the heel of a shoe, a jack mounting the shoe for rotation about an axis substantially normal to the tread surface of the heel, a tool movable in a direction transversely of said axis and engageable with the heel, a master cam for imparting movement to the tool to cause it to operate upon the heel in accordance with the shape of the cam, a movable power operated gear segment for imparting oscillating rotative movement to the jack to present successive peripheral portions of the heel to the tool, said cam having an operative profile of varying size, means for selectively positioning the cam to impart to the tool an operating motion of a desired amount, and means automatically responsive to the selective positioning of the cam for limiting the movement of the gear segment to regulate the amount of rotation of the heel with respect to the tool in accordance with the amount of motion imparted to the tool.

8. In a machine for automatically performing finishing operations on the heel of a shoe, a jack supporting the shoe for rotation about an axis substantially normal to the tread surface of the heel, a tool, means mounting the tool for swinging movement about an axis parallel with said first axis into and out of engagement with the heel, a master cam on said jack rotatable therewith about said first axis, cam follower means on the tool mounting means engageable with the master cam, and means for rotating the jack and the shoe supported thereon with the follower means in operative engagement with the cam and with the tool engageable with the heel whereby the cam imparts movement to the tool to cause it to operate on the heel in accordance with the shape of the cam.

9. In a machine for automatically performing finishing operations on the heel of a shoe, a jack supporting the shoe for rotation about an axis substantially normal to the tread surface of the heel, a rotatable tool, means mounting the tool for swinging movement about an axis parallel with said first axis into and out of engage-ment with the heel, a master cam on said jack and rotatable therewith about said first axis, cam follower means on the tool mounting means engageable with the master cam, means for rotating the jack and the shoe supported thereon with the follower means in operative engagement with the cam and with the tool engageable with the heel whereby the cam imparts movement to the tool to cause it to operate upon the heel in accordance with the shape of the cam, and means associated with said tool mounting means for supporting the tool for floating movement coaxially with its rotation to follow heightwise variations in the contour of the shoe about the heel periphery.

10. In a machine for automatically performing finishing operations upon the heel of a shoe, a jack supporting the shoe for rotation about an axis substantially normal to the tread surface of the heel, a rotatable tool, means mounting the tool for swinging movement about an axis parallel with said first axis into and out of engagement with the heel, a master cam on said jack and rotatable therewith about said first axis, cam follower means on the tool mounting means engageable with the master cam, means for rotating the jack and the shoe supported thereon with the follower means in operative engagement with the cam and with the tool engageable with the heel whereby the cam imparts movement to the tool to cause it to operate upon the heel in accordance with the shape of the cam, a feeler adjacent said rotatable tool and engageable with the rand crease of the shoe, and means associated with the tool mounting means for supporting the tool and feeler for floating movement coaxially with the rotation of the tool to follow heightwise variations in the contour of the shoe about the rand crease.

11. In a machine for automatically performing finishing operations upon the heel of a shoe, a jack supporting the shoe bottom upwardly for rotation about an axis substantially normal to the tread surface of the heel, a rotatable tool, means mounting the tool for swinging movement about an axis parallel with said first axis into and out of engagement with the heel, a master cam on said jack and rotatable therewith about said first-mentioned axis, cam follower means on the tool mounting means engageable with the master cam, means for rotating the jack and the shoe supported thereon with the follower means in operative engagement with the cam and with the tool engageable with the heel whereby the cam imparts movement to the tool to cause it to operate upon the heel in accordance with the shape of the cam, a feeler adjacent said tool, means associated with the tool mounting means for supporting the tool and feeler for floating movement coaxially with the rotation of the tool to follow heightwise va-riations in the contour of the shoe about the rand 15 crease, and linkage on the tool mounting means operatively connecting the cam follower means and said floating tool and feeler for movement upwardly into engagement with the rand crease as the tool moves toward the heel and the follower engages the cam.

12. In a machine for automatically performing finishing operations on the heel of a shoe, a jack supporting the shoe for rotation about an axis substantially normal to the tread surface of the heel, a tool, means mounting the tool for swinging movement about an axis parallel with said first-mentioned axis into and out of engagement with the heel, a master cam movably mounted on said jack and rotatable there-with about said first-mentioned axis, cam follower means on the tool mounting means engageable with the master cam, said master cam having an operative heel-shaped profile varying in size substantially geometrically in the axial direction, means for rotating the jack and the shoe supported thereon with the follower means in operative engagement with the profile of the cam and with the tool engageable with the heel thereby to cause the tool to operate upon the heel in accordance with the basic shape of the cam, and means for selectively moving the cam axially of the jack adjustably to vary the amount of motion imparted to the tool in substantially geometric proportio-ns.

13. In a machine for automatically performing finishing operations on the heel of a shoe, a jack supporting the shoe for rotation about an axis substantially normal to the tread surface of the heel, a tool, means mounting the tool for swinging movement about an axis parallel with said first-mentioned axis into and out of engagement with the heel, a master cam movably mounted on said jack and rotatable therewith about said first mentioned axis, cam follower means on the tool mounting means engageable with the master cam, said cam having an operative heel-shaped profile varying in size substantially geometrically in the axial direction, means for rotating the jack and the shoe supported thereon with the follower in operative engagement with the profile of the cam and with the tool engageable with the corresponding part of the heel thereby to cause the tool to operate on the heel in accordance with the shape of the cam, means for selectively moving the cam axially of the jack to adjustably vary the amount of motion imparted to the tool in substantially geometric proportions, and means responsive to axial movement of the master cam to regulate the amount of jack rotation in accordance with the amount of motion imparted to the tool.

14. In a machine for automatically performing finishing operations on the heel of a shoe, a jack supporting the shoe for rotation about an axis substantially normal to the tread surface of the heel, a tool, a rotatable heel clamp mounted for swinging movement about an axis parallel with said first axis into and out of alignment with said jack, means for elevating the jack to urge the heel into engagement with the clamp, means mounting the tool for swinging movement about an axis parallel with said first two-mentioned axes into and out of engagement with the heel, a master cam on said jack rotatable therewith about said first-mentioned axis, cam follower means on the tool.

mounting means engageable with the master cam, and

7 Cam and the tool engageable with the heel whereby the cam imparts movement to the tool to cause it to operate on the heel in accordance with the shape of the cam.

15. In .a machine for automatically performing finishing operations on the heel of a shoe, a jack supporting the shoe for rotation about an axis substantially normal to the tread surf-ace of the heel, a tool, a rotatable heel clamp mounted for swinging movement about an axis parallel with said first axis into and out of alignment with said jack, means for elevating the jack to urge the heel into engagement with the clamp, means mounting the tool for swinging movement about an axis parallel with said first two-mentioned axes into and out of engagement with the heel, a master cam on said jack rotatable therewith about said first-mentioned axis, cam follower means on the tool mounting means engageable with the master cam, means responsive to clamping pressure on said heel for moving the tool into an operative position engageable with the heel and for rotating the jack and the shoe clamped thereon with the follower means in operative engagement with the cam whereby the cam imparts movement to the tool to cause it to operate on the heel in a cordance with the shape of the cam.

16. In a machine for automatically performing finishing operations on the heel of a shoe, a jack supporting the shoe for rotation about an axis substantially normal to the tread surface of theheel, a tool, a rotatable heel clamp mounted for swinging movement about an axis parallel with said first axis into and out of alignment with said jack, means for elevating the jack to urge the heel into engagement with the clamp, means mounting the too-l for swinging movement about an axis parallel with said first two mentioned axes into and out of engagement with the heel, a master cam on said jack rotatable therewith about said first-mentioned axis, cam follower means on the tool mounting means engageable with the master cam, means for rotating the jack and the shoe clamped thereon with the follower means in operative engagement with the cam and the tool into an operative position engageable with the heel whereby the cam imparts movement to the tool to cause it to operate on the heel in accordance with the shape of the cam, and pneumatic means associated with each of the said operating elements to initiate and maintain automatic sequential operation of the elements.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 47,341 4/1-865 Sargent 12-87 194,115 8/ 1877 Stirckler 12-87 X 2,644,968 7/1957 Benedict et al. 12-87 2,948,906 8/1960 Pulsifer 12-87 3,088,146 5/1963 Forma 12-87 JORDAN FRANKLIN, Primary Examiner. 

1. IN A MACHINE FOR AUTOMATICALLY PERFORMING FINISHING OPERATIONS UPON THE HEEL OF A SHOE, A JACK MOUNTING THE SHOE FOR ROTATION ABOUT AN AXIS SUBSTANATIALLY NORMAL TO THE TREAD SURFACE OF THE HEEL, A TOOL MOVABLE IN A DIRECTION TRANSVERSELY OF SAID AXIS AND ENGAGEABLE WITH THE HEEL, A MASTER CAM FOR IMPARTING MOVEMENT TO THE TOOL TO CAUSE IT TO OPERATE UPON THE HEEL IN ACCORDANCE WITH A BASIC SHAPE CORRESPONDING TO THE SHAPE OF THE CAM, AND MEANS FOR IMPARTING THROUGH THE TOOL A UNI-DIRECTIONAL ADDITIVE SHAPE TO THE HEEL MEASURED ALONG THE HEEL-TOE AXIS OF THE SHOE IN ADDITION TO THE SHAPE CORRESPONDING TO THE MASTER CAM. 